Mesut Özil claims Real Madrid showed lack of faith in his ability, but he feels wanted at Arsenal

Mesut Özil has hit out at Real Madrid by saying that his former club forced
him to seek a move away after showing a lack of faith in his ability, just
when he was preparing to begin his fourth season at the Bernabéu.

Betrayed? Mesut Özil says he thought he would have continued at Real Madrid this season, up until a week before the transfer window closedPhoto: EPA

The 24-year-old German international, signed by Arsenal on transfer deadline day for a club record £42.4 million, completed the terms of his transfer while away on international duty with Germany in Munich ahead of their World Cup qualifier with Austria.

And Özil said he thinks Arsène Wenger, who has tracked the playmaker ever since he impressed at Werder Bremen before his move to the Spanish capital, will help him improve his game.

"At the weekend," Özil told the German Football Association's official website, "I was certain that I would stay at Real Madrid, but afterwards I realised that I did not have the faith from the coach or the bosses. I am a player who needs this faith and that is what I have felt from Arsenal, which is why I have joined.

"I am really looking forward to it because I have the faith of the coach [Arsène Wenger]. I had spoken to him at length on the telephone, he explained his plans and that he has faith in me – that is what I need as a player.

"I am looking forward to the new challenge there (Arsenal). I have already heard that they have super fans, the city is great and the team is fantastic.

"Wenger gives me the faith and I can develop further. I know what I can do and I know that I could make the grade with any club in the world because I am so convinced in myself, but if I don't feel people have faith in me, then that is why I had to leave and at Arsenal, I feel I have this fully.

"I am sure the new coach is going to develop me further and I am also really looking forward to playing in the Premier League."